Following public nominations and a subsequent judging panel, the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) has announced Tom Eakin as winner of the ‘Innovation Founder of the Year’ Award.

Tom Eakin receives the Award for 2012 in recognition of his extraordinary success as founder of TG Eakin Ltd. The judging panel believed that Tom was a very deserving recipient, in recognition of his contribution to
building and shaping our local economy and significantly improving the quality of life of many people across the world.

The Innovation Founder of the Year Award recognises the efforts of entrepreneurs whose innovative ideas and positive contribution to the community have helped put Northern Ireland innovation on the map.

Speaking about news of the award Tom Eakin said; “I was surprised and humbled when I heard that I was going to receive this prestigious award. It is a great honour and I am delighted to be considered in the same class as the two previous recipients. If we are to develop a strong knowledge economy in Northern Ireland I recognise the importance of celebrating and showcasing entrepreneurship to prove to the next
generation that there is nothing stopping them from developing and commercialising their own innovative thinking. This award is a great incentive for me and my company to do even more to encourage entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland.”

At the 25k Award Gala Dinner being held on 27th September, Tom will tell his story to an audience of
more than 250 executives, entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, and academics. The organisers hope that by showcasing Tom’s incredible story it will inspire more like him to come forward to realise their full potential.

Director of NISP CONNECT, Steve Orr, said: “The judges are delighted to name Tom Eakin as the ‘Innovation Founder of the Year’ of 2012. In order to grow Northern Ireland’s knowledge economy we
need to unearth, nurture and celebrate the entrepreneurial talent that come from these shores. Tom’s story is the perfect illustration of what is possible if innovators can be motivated to act on their inherent desire to innovate. Through the NISP CONNECT network as an ‘Innovation Founder of the Year’, Tom will now be presented with the opportunity to champion high-growth start-ups, use his expertise to mentor upcoming entrepreneurs and help nurture new technology from research green-houses into commercial reality.”

This is the second accolade for Tom in as many years, having received ‘Family Business Director of the Year’ as well as runner-up in the ‘Overall Director of the Year’ at the UK IOD Director of the Year Awards in 2011.